Method and apparatus for making sealed pads



.lune 11, 1935. e. A. GERARD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SEALED PADS Filed Nov. 10, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor June 11, 1935. G. A. GERARD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SEALED PADS 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Nov. 10, 1931- F/l'g. 4

-Inventor Fig.

/W'tneis D June 11, 1935. G. A. GERARDl METHQD AND APPARATUS .FOR MAKING SEALED PADS 4 sheets-sheet 3 June 1l, 1935. Q A GERARD METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR' MAKING SEALED PADs Filed Nov. 1o, 1951 4 sheetshee 4 Inventor Wzgnesf Cham. .TZforp Patented June 11, 1935 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING SEALED PADS George A. Gerard, Reading, Mass., assignor to Cotton-Wood Products, Inc., Reading, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 10, 1931, Serial No. 574,066

, 39 Claims.

The present invention relates to sealed pads and methods and apparatus for making the same. The principal object of the present invention is to provide an edge sealed laminated pad containing fibrous material and capable of retaining its shape under conditions of normal use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for economically manufacturing such a sealed pad.

With these and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, the present invention comprises the pad and methods and apparatus for making the same hereinafter described and particularly dened in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a sectional elevation of the preferred form of machine for practising the present invention; Fig. 2 is a detail view of the timing mechanism viewed from the opposite sidc ofthe machine; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the preferred form of cutting and pressing roll; Fig. 4 is an elevation of the glue roll; Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of a part of the complete machine; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the timing belt; Fig. 7 is a diagram of electrical connections; Fig. 8 is a view of the preferred form of completed pad; Fig. 9 is an elevation of a modified, and in some respects, preferable embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of the ball race support shown in Fig. 9.

The pad shown in Fig. 8 comprises two sheets of fabric, such as paper, including a bottom sheet I0 .and a top sheet I2. Enclosed between the sheets is a quantity of fibrous material, preferably comminuted paper, containing both partly and completely disintegrated particles, as described in the application of Gerard and Weisman, Serial No. 276,303, filed May 9, 1928. The comminuted fiber is held in place within the sheets by adhesive which is applied to the sheet IB in narrow bands indicated at I4. The purpose of applying the adhesive over a portion only of the sheet is to permit twisting or rolling of the nished pad without cracking by the hardcned adhesive. The sheets I0 and I2 are cemented together around their edges, as indicated at I6. 'I'he selvage edges of the sheet are cemented over a relatively wide band, as indica-ted at I8, and the end margins I9 are adhered by the continuations of the narrow bandsv I4 of adhesive.

The machine for making the pad of Fig. 8 comprises a hopper 20 in which the comminuted material is received, the material having been first previously prepared in any desired manner,

preferably by a hammer mill, as described in the above mentioned copending application. A sheet of paper. forming one layer of the completed pad, is continuously fed from a roll 22 over a table 24 directly beneath the hopper. The sheet fed from the roll 22, although the lower sheet as it passes through the machine, corresponds to the upper or unglued sheet I2 of the pad of Fig. 8. The paper, in passing from the roll 22 to the table 24, runs over rolls 26 and 28 of any suitable form. During passage of the sheet I2 over the table 24, a layer of the comminuted material is deposited upon it, the material being fed from the hopper by a continuously rotating agitator wheel 30. The paper fed from the roll 22 is sufiiciently Wide to form several pads. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the paper is approximately the width of three completed pads. To form the selvage edges I8, a plurality of separators are provided. These'are indicated at 32, four being provided, namely, one at each edge and two spaced by equal intervals inwardly from the edges. The separators 32 are attached in any suitable manner to the hopper and lie directly above the traveling sheet and nearly in contact therewith. The comminuted material discharged from the hopper is deposited on the traveling sheet, except at the places protected by the separators, thereby dividing the material into three portions, as indicated in Fig. 5. The traveling sheetcarries the paper under two positively driven compressor rolls, indicated as an initial large compressor roll 34 located above the sheet and'a smaller roll 36 located in closer' proximity to the sheet. Each separator 32 is formed as indicated in Fig. 1, to receive the rolls 34 and 36. The pads are divided longitudinally by the removal of transverse bands of deposited material from the sheet, thereby providing for sealing of the marginal ends I9 of each pad. This is accomplished by means of a suction device 38 placed directly above the layer of deposited fibrous material. This device comprises a narrow box extended transversely of the machine and having a downwardly directed opening which is adapted to be closed by a pivoted gate 40. A suction pipe 42 leads upwardly from the box and suction is continuously applied therethrough. The suction tends normally to hold the gate 40 closed against the wall of the box 38, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. However, when the gate is momentarily moved to its full line position by means hereinafter to be described, the suction is applied to the mass of material deposited on the traveling sheet and such fibrous material as lies under the suction mouth arators 32.

is sucked upwardly through `the pipe 42. Therefore, in continuing its passage through the machine, the bottom sheet carries a plurality of spaced deposits of comminuted material, separated longitudinally by the action of the transverse suction box 38 and separated laterally by the action `of the separators 32.

The upper sheet of paper for the pad, which corresponds to the sheet I0 of the pad of Fig. 8, is fed from` an upper roll 44 over Afeed rolls 46, 48 and 50 to a main feeding roll 52 located immediately above the table 24eand directly in ad- Vance of the suction device. In passing over the roll 50, the adhesive is applied to the sheet. 'I'his is accomplished by means of a glue roll 54 of the form shown in Fig. 4. This glue roll comprises a plurality of spaced disks 56 for applying the longitudinal bands i4 to the traveling sheet. At intervals, a wider disk 50 is provided to apply a band of double width at the selvages. The positions of the wide disks 58 correspond with the positions of the separators 32. Adhesive is applied to the glue roll from a trough 60 by means of a roll 6| continuously rotating in the trough and acting to drive a roll 62 which is in contact with the under side of the glue roll 54.

The two sheets coming from the rolls'22 and 44 meet immediately beyond the ends of the,sepa rators 32 at the upper feed roll 52. Directly beneath the feed roll 52 and extending through a transverse opening in the table is a complementary compressor and feed roll 63 which acts'in conjunction with the roll 52 to compress the two sheets of paper and the fibrous material contained between them. 'I'his action also results in the sealing of the transverse end marginal portions of the pads.

The lower main feed roll 63 is continuously driven by a sprocket chain 64 from a shaft 65 which in turn is driven from the main drive shaft GS through gearing 61, and the upper feed roll 52 is driven from the roll 63 by suitable gearing.

After passing through the rolls 52 and 63, the series of connected pads continues to travel over the table 24. Upon leaving the table 24, they are divided longitudinally by means of a plurality of cutting and sealing rolls of the type shown in Fig. 3.

Each roll comprises a knife disk 68 enclosed between and extending beyond the periphery of two wood disks 69. 'I'he wood disks are mounted between metal end plates 10 and 1|, the former being formed integral with a bushing 12. A central metal plate 13 is disposed between the wood disks. The plates 10, 1| and 13 are received in recesses in the wood disks and the end plates are secured together by bolts 14. The knife 68 has an internal opening which is positioned by the central disk 13. The wood disks are recessed at their peripheries adjacent /to the knife, each recess receiving a. rubber band 15 of rectangular crosssection, the periphery of the rubber bands being approximately ush with the periphery of the knife. The entire roll is freely journaled on a bolt 16 secured in opposite: arms 11 of a carriage 18. The carriage 18 is supported at one end on a transverse rod 18 and at thefother end on a transverse bar 80. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention. wherein the sheets are equal to the width of three pads, four of such carriages are provided in register with the sep- The outer rolls, however, may have the knives omitted since their function is mere- ,ly to sealthe selvages. The carriages may be adjusted laterally, and in any case, are positioned to cause the knives to engage the middle of the selvages formed by the separators 32. Beneath the cutting and sealing wheels is a steel roll 82. The connected sealed pads pass between the cutting wheels andthe roll 82 and in so doing, the selvages are compressed and sealed by the rubber surfaces 15the ,compression of which permits the knife 68 to cut through the selvages along longitudinal lines.

The pads are severed transversely by means of a rotating knife 84 acting to engage the marginal ends of the pads in synchronism with their movement through the machine. The knife 84 cooperates with a fiired bed knife 86. 'I'he rotating knife 84 is mounted on a shaft 85 which is connected through a magnetic clutch 88 with a continuously rotating wheel 90. The wheel is continuously driven from the main shaft 66 by a sprocket chain 92. The operation of the magnetic clutch is synchronized with the operation of the suction valve 40 in the following mannerz- Mounted in a box at one side of the machine is a pair of timing rolls |04 and |06, the latter roll being driven from the lower main feed roll 63 by a sprocket chain |01. An endless belt |08 of paperY or other material runs over the rolls |04 and |06 and also over an idler roll l0 which freely rides in a vertical slot |2. The belt, as shown in Fig. 6, lis provided with openings I4. The distance between the rolls |04 and |06 and the speed of motion of the belt are proportional, respectively, to the distance between the suction device and the knife 84 and to the speed of travel of the pads. Associated with the suction timing roll 04 is a 'contact member H6, and asimilar contact member||8is associated with the knife timing roll |06, Each contact v member comprises a pivoted arm pressed toward its corresponding roll by a spring H9, and a small contact wheel |20. The wheels are permitted -to contact with their corresponding rolls at intervals determined by the spacing of the openings ||4. An electrical connection is made from one side of a line through a wire |2| to spring contact ngers |22 and |24 which press respectively against the sides of the rolls |04 and |06, respectively. The contact member ||8 connects through a wire |26 with the magnetic clutch.88, which in turn connects by a wire |28 with the otherv side of the line. The contact member H6 connects through a wire |30 to a motor |32, which is connected to the line by a wire |33. A cable |34 is secured to the shaft .of the .motor |32 and also the suction gate 40, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon closure of the motor circuit by contact of the parts |04 and ||6 through an opening ||4 in the belt, the motor Y starts to. revolve and winds up the cable to open the suction gate, thereby permitting withdrawal of the supply of comminuted material from the sheet and forming the selvage ends of the pad.

vIn opening, the suction gate strikes against the compression roll 36. The motor circuit is closed only momentarily so that the motor is not permitted to come up to speed. Almost immediately thereafter, the circuit is opened and the gate is closed automatically by the suction, thereby returning the parts to their original positions. When the same opening ||4 of the belt passes over the roll |06', the clutch circuit is momentarily closed to cause the knife to make a single revolution, thereby severing the pads on a transverse line. It will be seen that any opening ||4 correspondsto a single end selvage area.

ofthe pads, and that while the selvage area is progressing from the suction box to the knife, the corresponding opening II4 progresses from one contact roll to the other. The distance between suction box and knife and the distance between the contact rolls arein the same ratio as the relative speeds of movement of the pads and of the control belt. This ratio remains fixed for the machine. The spacing between adjacent openings I |4 corresponds to the spacing between adjacent end selvages, that is, to the length of the pad. The length of pad may therefore be varied by substituting a belt having a different spacing of the control openings IIB.

The completed pads I3 pass from the knife 04 to a traveling apron |40 from which they may be discharged to be collected in any suitable manner.

The modification shown in Fig. 9 is in some respects preferable to that previously described in that it produces a fibrous layer of more uniform characteristics. In this modification, the fibrous material is formed in a continuous bat suitably divided by longitudinal separators and the end selvages are formed by cutting through the bat at intervals. The machine, as shown in Fig. 9, comprises the hopper 20, the feed table 24, the longitudinal separators 32, and the initial compressor roll 34, as in the construction previously described. The bat, however, is not initially deposited on the paper which forms a sheet of the pad, but is continuously deposited from the hopper onto an endless apron |50 which is continuously passed between rolls |52 and |561 and over the table 25. The bat is compressed by the roll |58 overlying the forward apron roll |52. The bat passes from engagement with the apron and the roll |56 to a table |58 which is in the form of an angle iron extending across the machine. The bat passes continuously from the table |50 to another` table |60 spaced a short distance (preferably about 3/4 of an inch) therefrom. The table |60 is also in the form of an angle iron with a smoothly rounded edge. Beyond the table |60 is a pair of feed rolls |62 and |64 corresponding respectively to the rolls 52 and 63 of the first modiiication. The upper sheet I0, which leads from the glue roll, as previously described, passes under the roll |62 while the lower sheet I2 of the pad coming from the roll 22 passes under guide rolls |66 and thence over the table |60 and then between therolls |62 and |60. In order to resist the pressure of the paper against the angular edge of the table |60, a stud |68 is threaded into the internal corner at the center of the angle iron and this stud carries a small transverse shaft |10 on which is mounted a ball race |12 which engages the periphery of the under roll |64, the ball race thereby supporting the center of the table against deflection.

In the passage of the bat across the space between the tables |58 and |60, means are provided for removing material therefrom at deiinite intervals. Located immediately above the space is a pipe |14 provided at the bottom with a series of small perforations, preferably about 312 of an inch in diameter, and spaced about l@ inch. This pipe connects with a compressed air supply pipe |16 which includes a valve |18. The handle |00 of the valve connects by a cable |62 with a torque motor similar to the torque motor |32 of the construction of Fig. 1. A spring |84 normally holds the valve in closed position. When the valve is opened, the air jets are directed against the portion of the bat bridging the space between the tables. The severing of the bat is accomplished not only by the direct action of the jets themselves, but also by the smooth flow of atmospheric air induced by the jets. After removing the material which bridges between the tables, additional material is cleanly removed from the advancing bat, so long as the jets remain in operation. Thus the space between adjacent bats is determined by the duration of action of the jets.

Below the tables |58 and |60 is a collecting hopper |86 to which is connected a suction pipe |80. The hopper is open below the apron |50 so that a suction is not applied to the bat passing between the tables |58 and |60. 'Ihe suction pipe may be connected to return the material to the hopper 20.

The bat being enclosed between the upper and lower sheets, proceeds beyond the final rolls |62 and |66 to mechanism for severing the pads longitudinally and transversely, as shown in the construction of Fig. 1.

'Ihe controls are exactly similar to those for the modification previously described and are not repeated in Fig. 9. The torque motor control is synchronized with the transverse cutter by a belt of the type shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The length of the pads is determined by the spacing ofthe openings Htl and the length of the end selvage portion of each pad is determined by the length of time during which the air blast from the pipe'l |16 is directed against the bat, this period being controlled by the length of the openings H4.

The drives for the various parts are in general similar to those shown in Fig. 1. The lower bat feeding roll |52 is driven by a sprocket chain |06, and the lower sheet feeding roll |64 by a chain |92, the upper rolls |56 and |62 being driven `from their corresponding lower rolls by suitable gearing. Owing to the compression and consequent lengthening of the bat by the advanced rolls |62 and |04, it is preferable to drive these rolls slightly faster than the rolls |52 and |56, in order to keep the severed bat clear of the advancing bat and to maintain the proper separation between them. Accordingly, the sprocket for the roll |60l is slightly smaller than that ior the roll |52.

It will be noted that the fibrous material is attached bythe adhesive to only one of the sheets of paper. .It has been found that a pad of considerable thickness may be made even though the material is actually attached to only one sheet and this is particularly true when the material comprises disintegrated paper containing both partially al completely disintegrated particles. Although the material, as discharged from the hopper, isv in a loose state, the tenacity of the particles is such that the completed pad may be rolled or twisted without danger of loosening the particles within the pad.

Although the preferred fibrous material comprises disintegrated .waste paper', the invention is not to be understood as limited to that material, but may cover the use of any fibrous material.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A method of making a laminated sealed pad which consists in depositing fibrous material on a traveling fabric sheet, removing atA intervals. portions of the material over transverse narrow bands, applying an upper fabric sheet, sealing the sheets over the transverse areas from which the material has been removed, and severing the the sheets in the transverse band portions.

2. A method of making a. laminated sealed pad which consists in depositing. brous material o n a traveling fabric sheet, except over narrow longitudinally extending selvage areas, removing at intervals portions of the deposited material to form transverse marginal ends, applying an adhesive to an upper traveling sheet, applying the upper sheet over the deposited material, sealing the sheets at the selvage and marginal end areas, and severing the sheets to form individual pads.

3. A method of making laminated sealed pads which consists in continuously depositing a layer of brous material, removing transverse portions of the material, and enclosing the material between sheets of fabric. Y

4. A method of making a laminated sealed pad which consists in depositing fibrous material on a traveling fabric sheet, except over narrow longitudinally extending selvage areas, applying a traveling upper sheet having adhesive applied thereto, continuously applying sealing pressure to the selvage areas, and severing the sheets at the selvage areas.

5. A method of making a laminated sealed pad which consists in depositing fibrous material on a traveling sheet, protecting the sheet against deposit of material along narrow longitudinal selvage areas, removing material at intervals from narrow transverse areas, applying adhesive to an upper sheet over portions only of its surface, applying the upper sheet over the: fibrous material, compressing the sheets over the narrow longitudinal and transverse areas, and severing the sheets to form individual pads.

6. A machine for making laminated sealed pads having, in combination, means for continuously depositing a layer of fibrous material, means for moving the layer, longitudinal separators for protecting against deposit of material over selvage areas, means for transversely removing material from the layer at spaced intervals, means for enclosing the material between fabric sheets, means for severing the sheets longitudinally in the selvage areas, and means synchronized with the movement of the layer for severing the sheets transversely.

7. A machine for making laminated sealed pads having, in combination, sheet feeding means,

means for depositing `fibrous material on thesheet, longitudinal separators for protecting against deposit of material over selvage areas, means for removing material from the sheet at spaced intervals, means for applying an enclosing sheet, means for severing the sheets longitudinally, a transverse cutter, and means for synchronizing the transverse cutter with the means for removing material from the sheet.

8. A machine for making laminated sealed pads having, in combination, sheet feeding means, means for depositing fibrous material on the sheet, longitudinal" separators for protecting against deposit of material over selvage areas, suction means for removing material fromthe sheet at spaced intervals, means for applying an enclosing sheet, means for severing the sheets longitudinally in the selvage areas, and means synchronized with the sheet feeding means for severing the sheets transversely.

9. A machine for making laminated .sealed pads having, in combination, sheet feeding means, means for depositing fibrous material on the sheet,` longitudinal separators for protecting against deposit of material over selvage areas,- suction means for removing material from the sheet at spaced intervals, means for applying an enclosing sheet, and means for synchronizing the cutter with the suction means.

10. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for applying fibrous material between traveling sheets, except over longitudinal selvage areas, a roll for pressing on each selvage area having a compressible peripheral surface, and a knife normally flush with the peripheral surface.

11. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for continuously depositing a layer of brous material, means for moving the layer, means for removingmaterial from the layer at intervals to form transverse marginal areas, means for applying enclosing sheets, a transverse cutter, and timing means for controlling the operation of the removing means and the cutter.

12. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for continuously depositing a traveling bat of fibrous material, means for removing material from the layer at intervals to form transverse marginal areas, means for applying enclosing sheets, a transverse cutter, and means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the removing means.

13. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing fibrous ma.- terial on a traveling sheet, means for removing material from the sheet at intervals to :form

ytransverse marginal areas, means for applying an enclosing sheet, a transverse cutter, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the removing means including a moving contact control device, and electrical circuits operated by the control device and associated respectively with the removing means and the cutter.

14. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing fibrous material on a traveling sheet, means for removing material from the sheet at intervals to form transverse marginal areas, means for applying an enclosing sheet, a transverse cutter, means for operating the cutter in timed relation tothe removing means including spaced contact devices associated respectively with the removing means and the cutter, and a contact control device movable between the contact devices.

15. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing fibrous material on a traveling sheet, means for removing material from the sheet at intervals to form transverse marginal areas, means for applying an enclosing sheet, a transverse cutter, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the removing means including contact rolls, a perforated control belt traveling over the contact rolls,

means for-actuating the removing means from moving transverse portions of the material at intervals to separate the material into individual bats, continuously feeding sheets of fabric, applying adhesive to one of the sheets, and enclosing the material between the sheets.

18. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for forming a traveling bat of fibrous material, means for supporting the bat having a transverse space over which the bat passes, means for removing material from the bat at intervals in its passage over said space, and means for enclosing the bats between traveling fabric sheets.

19. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for forming a traveling bat of fibrous material, means for supporting the bat having a transverse space over which the bat passes, means for removing material from the bat at intervals in its passage over said space, meansfor enclosing the bats between traveling fabric sheets, and means for severing the sheets operated in timed relation with the removing means.

20. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for forming a traveling bat of fibrous material, means for supporting the bat having a transverse space over which the bat passes, an air jet for removing material from the bat at intervals in its passage over said space,

. and means for enclosing the bats between traveling fabric sheets.

21. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for forming a bat of fibrous material, bat feeding and compressing rolls, means for supporting the bat beyond said rolls having a transverse space over which the bat passes, means for removing material from the bat at intervals in its passage over said space, sheet feeding rolls beyond the supporting means, andmeans for driving the rolls having provision for feeding the sheet at a faster rate than the originally formed bat.

22. A method of making laminated sealed pads which consists in forming a traveling layer of fibrous material, passing the layer over a transverse space, directing a jet of air to remove material from the layer during its passage over said space to form individual bats, enclosing the in-4 dividual bats in fabric sheets, and sealing the sheets.

23. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing a traveling layer of fibrous material, means for removing from the layer transverse portions of the material to form individual bats, means for applying enclosing sheets, a transverse cutter, means for operating thecutter in timed relation to the removing means including a moving contact control device, and electrical circuits operated by the control device and associated respectively with the removing means and the cutter.

24. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing a traveling layer of iibrous material, means for dividing the layer transversely of its direction of movement at intervals to form individual bats, means for applying enclosing sheets, a transverse cutter, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the dividing means including spaced contact devices associated respectively with the dividing means and the cutter, and a contact control device movable between the contact devices.

25. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing a traveling layer cf fibrous material, means for dividing the layer transversely of its direction of movement at intervals to form individual bats, means for applying enclosing sheets, a transverse cutter, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the dividing -means including Contact rolls, a perforated control belt traveling over the contact rolls, means for actuating the dividing means from one of the contact rolls, and means for actuating the cutter from the other roll.

26. A machine for making sealed pads having,

in combination, means for forming a traveling layer of fibrous material, means for dividing the layer transversely of its direction of movement at intervals to form individual bats', means for enclosing the bats between fabric sheets, a transverse cutter to sever the sheets, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the dividing means including a moving contact control device, and electrical circuits operated by the control device and associated respectively with the dividing means and the cutter.

27. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for forming a traveling layer of fibrous material, means for supporting the -layer having a transverse space over'which the layer passes, means for removing material from the layer at intervals during its passage over said space to form individual bats, means for enclosing the bats between fabric sheets, a transverse cutter to sever the sheets, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the removing means including spaced contact devices associated respectively with the removing means and the cutter, and a contact control device movable between th contact devices.

28` A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for forming a traveling layer of -fibrous material, means for supporting the layer having a transverse space over which the layer passes, means for removing material from the layer at intervals during its passage over said space to form individual bats, means for enclosing the bats between fabric sheets, a transverse cutter to sever the sheets, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the removing means including contact rolls, a perforated control belt traveling over the contact rolls,` means for actuating the removing means from one of the contact rolls, and means for actuating the cutter from the other roll.

29. A method of making laminated sealed pads which consists in continuously depositing a traveling layer of fibrous materialexcept over narrow longitudinally extending selvage areas. removing transverse narrow band portions of the material at intervals to form individual bats, enclosing the separated bats between sheets of fabric, sealing the sheets in the longitudinal and transverse spaces, and severing the sheets in said spaces.

30. A method of making laminated sealed pads which consists in continuously depositing a traveling layer of brous material on a traveling apron, removing the layer from engagement with the apron, removing transverse portions of the material from the layer while out of engagement with the apron to form individual bats, enclosing the bats between traveling fabric sheets,.and severing the sheets between the bats.

31. A method of making laminated sealed pads which consists in continuously depositing a trav- Aeling layerV of fibrous material on a traveling movement of the layer, a transverse space being provided vover which the layer passes, means for removing material from the layer in its passage over said space to form individualbats, means for enclosing the bats between fabric sheets, and devices for sealing and cutting the sheets.

33. A. machine for making laminated sealed pads having, in combination, a traveling apron, means for depositing a layer of fibrous material on the apron, means for removing the apron from engagement with the layer, means for feeding a lower fabric sheet, means for` continuing movement of the layer from the apron to the sheet, a support over which the layer passes from the apron to the sheet, the support having a narrow transverse space, an air jet for removing material from the layer at intervals in its passage overthe space, sheet feeding means to place an upper sheet over the layer, and devices for sealing and cutting the sheets.

34. A method of making sealed pads which consists in depositing a continuous traveling layer 4of brous material, dividing and separating the layer transversely of its direction of movement at regular intervals to form individual separated bats, continuously feeding enclosing fabric `to cover the individual bats on top and bottom, severing the fabric in the transverse spaces between the individual bats, and sealing the fabric to completely enclose each bat.

35. A machine for making sealed pads having. in combination, means for continuously depositing a layer of fibrous material, means for moving the layer as deposited, means for dividing the layer transversely of its direction of movement at regular intervals to formfin'dividual separated bats, sheet feeding means to feed enclosing fabric to engage and cover the traveling layer of indi- .vidual bats, and sealing and cutting mechanisms at regular intervals to form individual separated bats, sheet feeding means to feed enclosing fabric to engage and cover the traveling layer of individual bats, a transverse cutter to cut the fabric in the spaces separating the individual bats, and means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the dividing means.

37. A machine for making sealed pads having, in combination, means for depositing a traveling layer of fibrous material, means for dividing the layer transversely of its direction of movement at regular intervals to form individual separated bats, sheet feeding means to feed enclosing fabric to engage and cover the traveling layer of individual bats, a transverse cutter to cut the fabric in the spaces separating the individual bats, means for operating the cutter in timed relation to the dividing means including a contact control device, and electrical circuits operated by the control device and associated respectively with the dividing means and the cutter.

38. A method of making sealed pads which consists in depositing a continuous layer of fibrous material on a traveling apron, removing the layer from engagement with the apron, dividing the layer transversely of its direction of movement While out of engagement with the apron to formA individual separated bats, continuously feeding enclosing fabric to cover the individual bats on;

layer transversely of its direction of movement at regular intervals to form individual separated bats, sheet feeding -means to feed enclosing fabric to engage and cover the traveling layer of individual bats, and sealing and cutting mechanisms to seal and cut the fabric in the end spaces and in the longitudinal selvage areas between the individual bats.

. GEORGE A. GERARD. 

